What Has 84 Shovels, 270 Gloves, and a Bus Fleet?
Buffalo State students planting, pruning, and picking up trash at eight sites around Buffalo on Saturday, April 24.
More than 200 students (plus staff and faculty members) will be heading out of the college's Sports Arena at 9:00 a.m. to sites along the Buffalo River and the Scajaquada Creek and to vacant or partly greenscaped city property on Connecticut, Northampton, Mulberry, and Fougeron Streets.
Their efforts are part of the 2004 Great American Clean-Up, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year.
Frederick C. Howe, a professor who helps to prepare student teachers for the classroom, coordinates Buffalo State's participation, now in its eighth year.
"The first year," he said, "a few faculty and students volunteered to do some clean-up near campus. Then we began exploring the idea of making small parks on vacant, city-owned lots."
This year, the college's team will have the satisfaction of helping to install a new park on the northeast corner of Connecticut and 14th Streets, across from a park they installed in the past. The students will plant trees and perennials there.
Howe, a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, said that he believes it's important to give back to the community. "One of my ulterior motives," added Howe, "is to help our students learn that the city isn't necessarily a dangerous place, and to meet some good people in the community."
Community groups and neighborhood leaders maintain the sites after the trees and shrubs are planted.
"Students from all kinds of organizations —department clubs, fraternities, sororities, on-campus organizations, and the college's sports teams —are taking part," said Hector Gil, assistant director of student life.
Dore Landscaping, Elbers Nursery, and Murray Brothers Nursery will aid this year's efforts by providing trees, plants, and design work at reduced cost. Rich Products and Frito-Lay are donating snacks and deserts for the students who will return to campus for lunch and prizes at 1:00 p.m. Buffalo State's Auxiliary Funds Program contributed funds for supplies and transportation.
More than 200 students (plus staff and faculty members) will be heading out of the college's Sports Arena at 9:00 a.m. to sites along the Buffalo River and the Scajaquada Creek and to vacant or partly greenscaped city property on Connecticut, Northampton, Mulberry, and Fougeron Streets.
Their efforts are part of the 2004 Great American Clean-Up, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year.
Frederick C. Howe, a professor who helps to prepare student teachers for the classroom, coordinates Buffalo State's participation, now in its eighth year.
"The first year," he said, "a few faculty and students volunteered to do some clean-up near campus. Then we began exploring the idea of making small parks on vacant, city-owned lots."
This year, the college's team will have the satisfaction of helping to install a new park on the northeast corner of Connecticut and 14th Streets, across from a park they installed in the past. The students will plant trees and perennials there.
Howe, a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, said that he believes it's important to give back to the community. "One of my ulterior motives," added Howe, "is to help our students learn that the city isn't necessarily a dangerous place, and to meet some good people in the community."
Community groups and neighborhood leaders maintain the sites after the trees and shrubs are planted.
"Students from all kinds of organizations —department clubs, fraternities, sororities, on-campus organizations, and the college's sports teams —are taking part," said Hector Gil, assistant director of student life.
Dore Landscaping, Elbers Nursery, and Murray Brothers Nursery will aid this year's efforts by providing trees, plants, and design work at reduced cost. Rich Products and Frito-Lay are donating snacks and deserts for the students who will return to campus for lunch and prizes at 1:00 p.m. Buffalo State's Auxiliary Funds Program contributed funds for supplies and transportation.
Media Contact:
Mary Durlak, Writer/Publicist | 7168783517 | durlakma@buffalostate.edu